After two years as first principal of Abbey Chapter No 1225, Stephen Renney has handed over control to Gary Gibson in a delightful ceremony at Barrow Fairfield Masonic Hall. With 44 companions looking on and in the presence of Deputy Grand Superintendent David Barr and despite one or two key absences, including third principal elect, Paul Musgrave and group chairman Chris Gray, both due to illness, a happy atmosphere was prevalent throughout the ceremony.
David Barr was accompanied by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Gary Rogerson, Past Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals David Grainger and by grand officers Alan Jones and Peter Schofield. No fewer than eight acting Provincial grand officers were in attendance, including two Provincial Deputy Grand Directors of Ceremonies, fulfilling their roles to the full, marshalled by Robb Fitzsimmons and the aforementioned Gary Rogerson, Peter Littlehales, Alastair Davidson, John Pitches, Ian Hartley, Les Newlands and Gordon Evans. The Furness and South Lakeland Group executive is always well represented and despite the absence of group chairman Chris, the group Royal Arch lead and group vice-chairman Harry Chatfield and group secretary Tony Jackson flew the flag.
The chapter was opened in due and ancient form by first principal Steve, second principal Gary Gibson and third principal Derek Forrest, anticipating his forthcoming role and standing in most capably as third principal for Paul Musgrave. Steve and scribe Ezra Gordon Evans dispatched the regular business promptly and the ceremony began in earnest.
Tony Cassells was invited to occupy the chair of scribe Nehemiah and the retiring officers assembled in the North to be thanked by outgoing first principal Steve for their unstinting hard work and support during his two years as first principal. Director of ceremonies Tony Nevinson retired from the chapter for a short time. An alarm signalled the entry of Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies Rob Fitzsimmons who informed the companions that Deputy Grand Superintendent David Barr stood without and demanded admission. The assembled companions rose and David entered, accompanied by grand and acting Provincial grand officers.
Having greeted the principal guest, welcomed him to the chapter and offered him this sceptre, the second and third principals were presented to first principal Steve by Tony Nevinson, to receive at the hands of their predecessors the benefit of installation. Gary Gibson, first principal elect, was obligated and knelt before his chair, attending to the reading of the portions of scripture selected for that purpose. Those below the rank of installed first principal retired for a short time, a Conclave of Installed First Principals was opened and Gary was installed and invested as first principal of Abbey Chapter.
Given that second principal elect Paul would be installed at a later date and that third principal elect Derek had already been installed on a previous occasion, installed second and third principals were admitted, Derek was installed as third principal of Abbey Chapter and Peter While occupied the chair of second principal for the remainder of the ceremony. Companions were then admitted they and acknowledged the three principals with a court bow before taking their seats once more.
Installing scribe Nehemiah, Tony Cassells, gave the red robe address in a most excellent manner. Immediate past first principal, Steve, gave the blue robe address again in a most excellent manner. The charter and centenary charter were presented by Tony Nevinson along with the by-laws of the chapter. Steve was invested as immediate past first principal; officers of the chapter were appointed and invested and Peter Littlehales accompanied Harry Chatfield onto the floor of the chapter.
Harry delivered the address to the three principals in a most excellent manner with supreme accuracy and in his usual avuncular manner. Doug Smith was appointed and invested as director of ceremonies. The companions of Abbey Chapter were addressed by David Barr in a dignified and delightful manner. As Gary reverted to the summons, David rose to bring the greetings of the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, congratulating all those who had taken part in the ceremony. Gary presented cheques in favour of North West Air Ambulance and St Mary’s Hospice for the sum of £125 each and £250 to West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity. David thanked the companions of the chapter for their generous donations. £95 was collected in alms and a very respectable £200 was raised by the raffle at the festive banquet.
